Comments

Microsoft Eyeing Huge Xbox One Holiday Sales After Strong E3 Showing

After an effective one-to punch that served up enticing software and a much-requested hardware tweak in the form of backwards compatibility, Microsoft is eyeing a “huge” holiday season this year for Xbox One, with the company’s Aaron Greenberg noting that he fully expects millions of Xbox 360 owners to migrate from one generation to the next after a strong E3 showing.

Earlier this week, the publisher undoubtedly strengthened it’s already enviable fall release schedule with Gears of War Ultimate Edition, but Greenberg believes it is backwards compatibility and the peace of mind it offers that will ultimately seal the deal for those would-be Xbox One owners still sitting on the fence.

“A lot of people have been waiting for the next Halo; a lot of people have been waiting for Gears; a lot of people have been waiting for backwards compatibility,” Greenberg said.

“And so we think having all of that coming this holiday; we expect we’re going to see a massive migration,” he added. “We expect millions of Xbox 360 owners to migrate and move to Xbox One. We see that the majority of people who buy an Xbox One today own an Xbox 360. So our fanbase has stayed very loyal. And frankly, they’re waiting for those new releases to come this year.”

Ultimate Edition will rub shoulders with Halo 5: Guardians and timed-exclusive Rise of the Tomb Raider on Microsoft’s first-party roster this year, and given the admittedly sparse line-up on Sony’s end, we have every reason to believe Greenberg that the Xbox One is primed to take this holiday season with both hands. In fact, it could prove to be a defining year for Microsoft’s console follow its turbulent debut.

What do you think, though? Can Microsoft and Xbox One shorten the gap between them and PlayStation 4? Let us know your thoughts below.